FANTASY FOOTBALL IN-SEASON FEATURES

RUNNING BACKS

Frank Gore, SF - Sprained Ankle

49ers’ RB Frank Gore reportedly sprained his left ankle during the second quarter of Sunday’s game, but he was able to play through the injury and team officials are confident that he will be ready to play against the Giants in Week 10. Gore was seen limping in the locker room afterwards and he admitted that his ankle was sore. However post-game X-rays were negative and Gore told reporters that he would be OK. He’ll likely be limited in practice this week while he recovers, but the team expects him to be in their starting lineup this upcoming weekend. Backup running back Kendall Hunter dislocated his finger during the third quarter on Sunday, but the medical staff was able to reduce the dislocation on the sideline and he was able to finish the game. He’s expected to be fine.

Shonn Greene, NYJ - Concussion-Like Symptoms

Jets’ RB Shonn Greene left Sunday’s game after complaining of concussion-like symptoms and although he passed the team’s concussion evaluation on the sideline he was held out for the remainder of the game as a precaution. According to reports Greene left the game after being hit on a fourth quarter carry and he apparently informed the medical staff that he felt a little dizzy. But he told reporters after the game that he passed the mandatory concussion test but he was held out because the game was a blowout. Head coach Rex Ryan said on Monday that Greene was doing OK on Monday and that he expects him to be active in Week 10 against the Patriots.

Fred Jackson, BUF - Stinger

Bills’ RB Fred Jackson left Sunday’s game after suffering what the team called a stinger, but he was able to return after just a few plays and according to reports he should be ready to play in Week 10 against the Cowboys. Jackson was injured in the third quarter and he reportedly complained of neck and shoulder soreness following the game. He might be limited this week while he recovers, but team officials expect him to be fine.

Beanie Wells, ARI - Stinger / Lingering Knee Problems

Cardinals’ RB Beanie Wells, who has been dealing with a lingering knee problem, briefly left Sunday’s game with a stinger. However the injury is not considered serious and the team’s main concern continues to be his ailing knee. Wells tore cartilage in his knee in Week 7 and he has complained of lingering soreness and discomfort within the joint ever since. Not only does his knee still hurt, but he has told reporters that the joint has “locked up” on him indicating that there is a cartilage issue that probably won’t go away until he has surgery. Head coach Ken Whisenhunt admitted to reporters on Monday that Well’s knee was still an issue, but for now it looks like the team will stick with him in hopes that he can find a way to be productive.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Miles Austin, DAL - Strained Hamstring

Cowboys’ WR Miles Austin is expected to miss the next 2 - 4 weeks after straining his right hamstring during Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. Austin, who hurt his right leg after catching a deep pass in the second quarter, strained his left hamstring during training camp and aggravated that injury earlier in the season costing him several games. Initial reports had him aggravating his left hamstring, but team officials confirmed after the game that the injury was to his right hamstring. An MRI on Monday revealed that there is some minor tearing within the muscle. And while surgery doesn’t appear to be a treatment option, the injury will probably keep him out until at least Week 12.

Mohamed Massaquoi, CLE - Concussion

Browns’ WR Mohamed Massaquoi, who suffered concussions during the pre-season and in Week 7, left Sunday’s game with concussion-like symptoms and his status for Week 10 appears to be in doubt. Massaquoi was pulled out of the game in the third quarter after complaining that he felt light headed and dizzy. He was examined by the medical staff on Monday and according to reports he was sent home to recover. The team is waiting on the results of his neurological testing before they announce Massaquoi’s Week 10 status, but don’t expect him to play for at least another week and with his history of concussions there is a chance that he could be out for a significant amount of time.

Greg Salas, STL - Fractured Fibula

Rams’ WR Greg Salas will miss the remainder of the season after he fractured his left fibula during Sunday’s loss to the Cardinals. The injury occurred when a Cardinals’ defender rolled on his leg while trying to make a tackle at the end of a reception in the fourth quarter. Salas’ leg was placed in a vacuum splint and he was carted off the field and immediately taken into the locker room where X-rays revealed a fracture. Additional testing on Monday morning confirmed that his leg was broken and according to reports he is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the damage sometime this week. The team’s medical staff expects him to make a full recovery and he should be 100% in time for the team’s off-season conditioning program next year.

Hines Ward, PIT - Concussion

Steelers’ veteran WR Hines Ward, who was a question mark heading in Sunday’s game against the Ravens because of an ankle injury, was active and played. However he left the game after suffering a concussion in the first quarter and did not return. Ward was hurt when he was crushed by Ravens’ LB Ray Lewis on a reception over the middle. Lewis’ helmet made contact with Ward’s helmet and Ward appeared to briefly lose consciousness as he fell to the ground causing him to drop the ball. Ward was escorted off the field by an athletic trainer and after being evaluated on the sideline his helmet was taken away from him and he was held out for the remainder of the game. The team actually reported the injury as a stinger, but it was obvious that Ward had suffered a concussion. According to reports the concussion does not appear to be serious, but he underwent neurological testing on Monday and he is scheduled to undergo further testing today to determine the actual severity of the injury. We should know more about his status for Week 10 later in the week.

Nate Washington, TEN - Hip Contusion

Titians WR Nate Washington suffered a hip contusion (commonly known as a hip pointer or hip bruise) during Sunday’s game against the Bengals, but according to reports the injury is not serious and team officials expect him to be ready in time for Week 10. Washington initially injured his hip when he fell on it during the first quarter. After briefly leaving he was able to return and stay in the game, however he appeared to aggravate the injury late in the fourth quarter and he had to watch the end of the game from the sideline. Washington reportedly complained that his hip and leg went numb after hurting it the second time and he admitted afterwards that he was in a lot of pain. Fortunately an MRI on Monday showed that the injury was just a bruise. Washington will probably be limited in practice this week, but he should be healthy enough to play in the team’s next game.

TIGHT ENDS

Dallas Clark, IND - Undisclosed Leg Injury

Colts’ head coach Jim Caldwell told reporters on Monday that Colts’ TE Dallas Clark will miss several weeks with what he described as a “significant” lower leg injury. Clark was hurt during the second quarter of Sunday’s game and he was taken to the locker room where he was examined. He later returned to the sideline with his left foot in a protective boot. The exact nature of the injury has not been made public, but Caldwell confirmed that Clark would miss at least one week. Clark underwent an MRI on Monday but according to reports the team is seeking multiple opinions on the results. Team officials don’t appear to be optimistic so don’t be surprised if Clark misses a significant amount of time.

Dustin Keller, NYJ - Concussion-Like Symptoms / Shoulder Soreness

Jets’ TE Dustin Keller left Sunday’s game in the second quarter against the Bills with concussion-like symptoms, but after passing a concussion test he was allowed to return to the field and he was able to finish the game. Keller told reporters after the game that he actually underwent several concussion tests as the medical staff wanted to make sure that he wasn’t concussed before he was cleared to return. His head was fine on Monday, but he is reportedly dealing with some shoulder soreness that could limit him in practice this week. The good news is that the shoulder injury is not serious and head coach Rex Ryan expects him to start in Week 10.